FIVE TRUTHS
EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
God’s Grace is magnanimous. His Mercy is oceanic. His Power is omnipotent (all powerful). His Wisdom is omniscient (all knowing). His Righteousness is unfathomable. His Love is apodeictic (evident beyond contradictions). His longsuffering is perpetual. His Patience is boundless. His Goodness is incomprehensible. His Word is irrisistible. His Jurisdiction is universal and His Justice is unquestionable and His Salvation is everlasting!
And upon the authority of God’s Word (the Holy Bible), by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant (Jesus’ shed blood), through the Eternal Spirit (Holy Spirit) and in the Incomparable Name of Jesus Christ, all our needs are met!
In short, all our sufficiency has been provided for through the vicarious death (substitutionary) and glorious resurrection of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen.
GOD LOVES YOU!
On the 70th Anniversary of his ordination into the Ministry, a preacher of the Gospel stated: “God cannot stop loving us!” Millions of people have never heard those words! They do not know that the great God of Heaven - the Creator of man and the universe - loves them. They sit in pagan darkness; fearful, tormented, lost, sick and suffering, without hope and without peace.
Others have heard the message of God’s love, but unfortunately, it has not penetrated their hearts or minds. Their understanding has been clouded and their spiritual eyes blinded.
Why is this the case? Jesus’ parable about the ‘Sower and the Seed’ gives us several reasons: “When any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the WICKED ONE, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart…But he that received the seed into stony places…Yet he hath not root in himself…but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth
In Billy Graham: Personal Thoughts of a Public Man, British TV commentator David Frost wrote: “I once asked Billy Graham what his goal was when he took the pulpit. He replied: “First of all, I want the content to be accurate. I want it to be biblical and I want it to be simple. I study to be simple.” I pressed him. “Can’t a message be too simple?”
“When Dr. Karl Barth, the great Swiss theologian, the greatest theologian of his generation, was visiting America a couple years ago, he was at one of our great seminaries, and a student asked him the question, ‘Dr. Barth, what is the greatest single thought that ever crossed your mind?”
The students thought some tremendous statement was coming forth and they were all on the edge of their seats and he said, ‘Jesus loves me; this I know for the Bible tells me so.’” No more beautiful words have ever spoken by men or angels than these: “I know God loves me!” Praise God. Say these precious words and believe them and you will see what a change will be affected within your life.
GOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU!
The Bible says: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” (2 Chron. 16:9)
An old Gospel song makes this marvellous statement: “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him as His word; Just to rest up on His promise; Just to know, thus saith the Lord”.
In every situation of life God knows about us, during every trial, heartbreak and discouragement. In the temptations and struggles of life, Jesus knows about us and makes a way of escape. (1 Cor. 10:13)
God’s Word states: “And He that searchest the hearts knoweth what is in the MIND of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
“And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom.8: 27, 28)
He knows and He is ready to help. Say it to yourself: “God knows about my existence and loves me. His eyes are upon me and I know that everything will be alright”.
When Almighty God called Moses to confront the Egyptian Pharaoh and command him to let the Hebrew slaves go free, He stated: “I have surely SEEN the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and I have HEARD their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I KNOW their sorrows; And I am COME DOWN to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians…” (Ex.3: 7, 8)
GOD CARES ABOUT YOU!
The Bible says: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Life often seems like a rat race with ‘dog eat dog’ and whoever gets in first gets what he needs and the last one misses everything!
People can often be hardhearted and cruel. Circumstances and situations can make life almost unbearable and many times Satan has filled peoples’ hearts and minds with such great disillusionment and depression that in utter despair and hopelessness, some taken their own lives.
The hymn writer wrote, “What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”
I am always thrilled with the great news of God’s love - that He loves me, knows all about me and that He cares about me - my difficulties and my needs. Thank God “He knows and He cares”! Praise God! Say it to yourself: “I know God cares about me and will help me”.
As I study the life of our Saviour - when He walked among men – my heart is warmed to see the way He reacted to the great needs that were pressed upon Him.
In every instance, He had the right answers for the questions and situations that arose around Him. He forgave sinners, healed the sick, freed people from demons spirits and He lifted up the fallen!
The Bible states that He had COMPASSION on the people and met their needs: “And Jesus went about all their cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and HEALING every sickness and every disease among the people. But He saw the multitudes, He was moved with COMPASSION on them…” (Matt.9: 35, 36)
JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU!
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) “Oh love of God so rich and pure, so measureless and strong. It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song.”
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving! No wonder the Apostle John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us”. (1 John 4: 19) There is a word that is seldom used in today’s world but one which is probably one of the most powerful in our vocabulary. It is the word “apodictic” and it means “Evident beyond contradictions”.
It is one of my favourite words because it relates to the gospel and to Christ our wonderful Lord. When you speak about God, His power, His words, His promises, His grace, His goodness and His mercy and love - the word apodictic covers them all!
Evident beyond Contradictions! His existence is so real that only a fool could try to contradict the fact. No wonder the Bible says, “The fool (imbecile, insane person) hath said in his heart: There is no God”. (Psalm 14:1) In other words, you cannot fault a fool, imbecile or insane person for thinking or saying that there is no God. He doesn't know any better!
The love of God is APODICTIC! It is evident beyond contradictions. CALVARY PROVED THAT! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“A rugged cross became His throne. His kingdom was in hearts alone. He wrote His love in crimson red, and wore the thorns upon His head.” Praise God. What a wonderful Saviour. He died that we might live - that is real love and no one can dispute it! He died for me and He died for you. Say it to yourself: “Jesus Christ actually died for me in order to save me”.
CHRIST AROSE FROM THE DEAD!
A dead man is powerless to help anyone. He cannot even help himself! That is why so many traditional churches and nominal Christians receive no answers to their prayers and have no victory in their lives. They believe in and worship a dead Christ. They wear crucifixes that have a resemblance of Christ, dead on the cross.
Beloved friends, the cross is empty - Jesus Christ is alive for evermore with all power at His disposal. He has the power to free His children from all bondage and every situation which is embarrassing, improper, humiliating and painful.
The hymn writer penned the words: “Lo behold the man of sorrows, lo behold Him in plain view. There He stands that mighty conqueror, since He rent the veil in two.”
I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
and just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me,
along life’s narrow way.
You ask me how I know He lives,
He lives within my heart. Hallelujah!
The very essence of Christianity, the heart of the gospel and the foundation truth of the church is that Jesus Christ, God’s Son died upon a cross for our sins and that He was raised from the dead on the third day for our Justification! (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Of all religions, only Christianity can boast a resurrection. And only Jesus Christ is a Saviour, for He only is alive forevermore. Praise His Name forever!
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
No wonder Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12)
Why? The name of a dead man can save no one, but Jesus is not dead. HE IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE! Hallelujah. His entire ministry while upon this earth revolved around preaching the gospel, healing the sick, forgiving the sinful, restoring the diseased back to health, feeding the hungry and raising the dead.
When He was crucified His ministry came to an abrupt end - until 50 days later - after He had risen from the dead and spent 40 days with His disciples He ascended into heaven and poured out upon His followers the “Baptism of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4)
Then, His ministry continued greater than ever through those who believed on Him - The blind saw, the deaf heard, the lame walked, the dead were raised and the gospel was preached to multitudes.
The Holy Record states: “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-9)
“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.
“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” (Acts 5:12-16)
THE GREAT COMMISSION
It is evident the Book of Acts is a continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ through His followers by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that it is God’s will for His power to continue to bring blessing and healing to His people in every generation until the church age is over and Christ sets up His kingdom and ushers in the millennium.
Notice His words to all who believe, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
“And these signs shall follow them that believe, In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”. (Mark 16:15-18)
The Holy Bible says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
If you are called, you are saved and if you are saved, the baptism of the Holy Ghost and power is for you! Again see what St. James writes to the church, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him”. (James 5:14, 15)
THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN
Now in closing let us see what Jesus Himself said concerning praying and receiving an answer, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matt. 7:7, 8)
“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:11-14)
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19)
“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)
My beloved friend, Jesus Christ is indeed alive and waiting to hear from you. If you will receive Him as your personal Saviour and trust in Him you will definitely receive answers to your prayers and the assurance that all is well with your soul, for He has promised and guaranteed you that His word is true and the Scripture cannot be broken. (John 10:35). Amen.
